Welcome to the latest update from Healthwatch Bradford and District, your voice on health and social care, bringing together the latest news and information about local services and how your feedback is making a difference.
Healthwatch news
NHS pledges to make improvements after people in Bradford district share experiences of dentistry
People from Bradford district have been sharing their experiences of NHS dental care to help improve services for everyone.
From July, NHS England will give responsibility for planning and organising NHS dental services to the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Through the West Yorkshire Voice network, people from across the region shared their experiences to help the board plan what needs to happen next to improve services.
Healthwatch, working together in West Yorkshire (Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield), prepared a report on access to NHS dentistry, and a video highlighting people's experiences was shown at the latest meeting of the ICB (below).
In our report, Healthwatch highlighted "quite shocking feedback and statistics" from the past 10 years relating to people's experiences of NHS dentistry.
Following the meeting, Ian Holmes, Director of Strategy and Partnerships for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: "The Board absolutely recognised the issues that were raised in the engagement session. We understand that access to NHS Dental Services can be difficult, and this is down to several systemic and long-standing issues, which we are working hard to address.
"We are committed to making improvements on dental and oral health services for people and communities. At the meeting we approved a series of recommendations which we believe will make a positive difference over time."
Healthwatch Bradford and District lead officer Helen Rushworth also met Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, to highlight the difficulties people are having accessing NHS dental care in our area, another avenue in our work to ensure all the feedback we hear is used to help improve services.
You can hear Helen talking about the crisis in NHS dentistry in her latest monthly interview on BCB Radio (106.6fm), which was broadcast live this week.
Elsewhere in recent weeks, Helen - who sits on various local boards and panels - gave a presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board on mental health support in local schools. We're concerned about the growing "pandemic" of issues facing people aged under 18 in our area around mental health, and we want to work with local young people to help do something about this.
The first step? We want to hear from young people aged 18 and under in our area about your experiences, in your own words. Tell us what's what, and how things need to improve for you:
- What are the main issues affecting mental health for you and your friends?
- Have you tried to find local support? How did that work out for you?
- Do you find support from your friends and family? Or do you talk to online friends facing similar challenges?
- Were you able to find the information you need about local support? How and where would you like to be able to find out about what help is available? Social media, leaflets, visitors to your school? What would best empower you to find support?
- What new services and support would you like to see made available locally, and how would they work best for you? Do your friends in another area have access to help that isn't available to you where you live?
Join West Yorkshire Voice and make a difference to local health and care
Through the West Yorkshire Voice network, people from across the region, including Bradford district, were able to share their experiences of NHS dentistry to help the local NHS plan what needs to happen next to improve services (see above).
The new network brings together individuals, groups and organisations. It aims to ensure the voice of people is at the heart of decisions made about health and care by the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB). It will build on all the great work already taking place in local areas.
It will link into existing networks and groups and be a platform from which to share the views and experiences of people and communities across West Yorkshire. The aim is for everyone to be involved in a way that works for them and to include the voice of those with the greatest health inequalities.
There will be a quarterly newsletter highlighting opportunities for involvement and sharing feedback about the impact of previous involvement. As the membership grows the hope is that this network can become a valuable resource for supporting engagement, involvement, people voice and coproduction across West Yorkshire.
For more information about West Yorkshire Voice or to subscribe to the newsletter, please email info@westyorkshirehealthwatch.co.uk or telephone 0113 8980035.
Latest from Healthwatch England
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Our future focus
With unprecedented challenges facing NHS and social care services, we've launched a new plan setting how we work to make sure your experiences help make care better.
GP recovery plan - our response and what it means for you
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Healthwatch sets out what the plan means for you and your loved ones.
Continuity of carer is crucial to addressing perinatal mental health
Research shows that continuity of carer is best practice in maternity care. Yet, the experiences of the new mothers we spoke to showed that services don’t always implement it.
How can you save money on your hormone replacement therapy?
A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds yearly on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate.
What should you expect after a dementia diagnosis?
Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing event, but knowing what support is available to you and what steps to take next can help you or a loved one process the diagnosis and plan for the future.
Professor David Croisdale-Appleby confirmed as new Chair of Healthwatch England
Professor David Croisdale-Appleby has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch England.
David is an academic, medical educationist and social reformer, and has held many leadership positions at organisations across the health and care sectors.
He said: "Over the last decade, the Healthwatch network has empowered millions of people to share their personal experiences of care, and has become an essential advocate to which policy-makers and services listen. They’ve demonstrated the power of patient feedback to help decision-makers understand what is, and isn’t working well, identifying issues, and suggesting how best to improve them.
"I feel very privileged to take on the role of Chair of Healthwatch England at this critical time for our health and care services, focusing on the big issues that concern the public and the communities that experience severe health inequalities."
Latest news from local health and care services
Crumbling Airedale General Hospital to get state-of-the-art replacement
Plans for a new state-of-the-art Airedale General Hospital are a step closer after it was announced that it has secured a place on the Government’s New Hospital Programme.
The hospital is among a small number in the UK that were built in the late 1960s, and is experiencing severe structural problems as it was built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a lightweight, bubbly form of concrete.
RAAC was found to have a lifespan of 30 years and structural engineers have advised that the hospital should be replaced as soon as possible.
Foluke Ajayi, Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (pictured), said: “We are truly delighted to hear the announcement that we have been accepted on to the New Hospital Programme.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us so far along this process, in particular Bradford District & Craven Health and Care Partnership, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, NHS England, our local MPs, leaders of our local authorities and local councillors.
“We are eager for planning to start on the new hospital but recognise that this is just the first step in the journey, and we look forward to hearing further details when they are announced.
"A new hospital will have far-reaching benefits for our local community, allowing us to continue to provide vital health care in a safe, modern environment that’s fit for the future, and that will improve patient outcomes and experience."
Mixed news for local maternity services
There have been mixed results for Airedale General Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary following inspections of maternity services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and care services.
Leaders at Airedale say maternity services are "safe and well-run" and that they are already making improvements after their inspection, which downgraded the overall rating for maternity services from "good" to "requires improvement".
Meanwhile, the CQC has reported improvements in maternity care at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
The overall rating for maternity services at Bradford Royal Infirmary remains rated as "requires improvement", while the overall rating for the hospital has improved from "requires improvement" to "good".
Airedale Hospital is hosting a community event next week for mums and partners so they can share their experiences of their maternity care. It’s one of a series of events, supported by Airedale midwives, that take place every two months throughout the year, in different community locations across the area.
The next event is being held from 1pm-3pm on Monday, June 12 at Highfield Community Centre, Drewry Road, Keighley, BD21 2QG.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, publishes reports on services it has inspected in Bradford district.
Temporary parking arrangements at St Luke’s Hospital while building works take place
Building work for the new Surgical Day Case Unit at St Luke’s Hospital starts on Monday, June 12, and will cause some disruption on site.
The Day Case Unit, which is scheduled to open next year, is an £18 million investment to help tackle and reduce the local backlog of patients waiting for surgery.
Landmark international cardiology clinical trial launches in Bradford
A landmark cardiology study has launched in Bradford, where doctors have recruited one of the first participants in the UK.
Bradford Patient Recruitment Centre, part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is leading the way in an effort to improve the lives of patients with heart disease.
The international REDEFINE 3 clinical trial is investigating the effects of a medicine – CagriSema – treating people living with obesity and diseases in the heart and blood vessels.
Bradford patient Keith Winn, 75, has become only the fourth randomised participant to the trial in the UK.
“I wanted to take part in this study because I believe that if we don’t take part in research studies like these, things won’t progress. It’s as simple as that. Hopefully I’m helping to build a future for my kids and grandkids,” he said.
Airedale General Hospital restaurant reopens after refurbishment
Airedale General Hospital’s restaurant has undergone a £450,000 makeover and has now reopened to patients, visitors and staff.
The restaurant space has been opened up to provide seating for around 121 people and a second counter has been added to help streamline the ordering process and reduce waiting times.
The restaurant, based at Location C30 within the hospital, will be open 7.30am-6pm on weekdays and 7.30am -3pm on weekends.
Local hospitals - latest visiting arrangements
New health and wellbeing centre confirmed for Keighley town centre
A new health and wellbeing centre is set to open in Keighley in summer 2026 after Government funding was confirmed.
The £3.4 million forms part of a Towns Fund grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
The new facility would include GP services, self-care and prevention, community care, mental health, dental care, a GP training hub and other healthcare services, at an accessible town-centre location.
The centre would also bring about 200 jobs to the town centre, 50 of them being new posts, helping bring extra footfall to local shops and other businesses.
Life-saving lung cancer checks to expand across Bradford district for those most at risk
People are now more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer at an earlier stage thanks to the success of NHS mobile CT scanning (a type of x-ray).
The mobile scanners launched at three Bradford GP practices in 2019 and 37 more from 2022 as part of an NHS England pilot, and they have already made an impact on earlier diagnoses.
All smiles for the Great Bradford Brushathon
Families, care home residents and people using mental health services in Bradford and Airedale are receiving expert advice on how to achieve a healthy smile and keep teeth and gums in tip-top condition as part of National Smile Month, which runs until June 15.
Better Lives has funded toothbrushes and toothpaste for everyone taking part in the Brushathon, while A&S Dental Surgeons are offering free dental checks for under-fives.
Care Trust backs week to support babies' mental health
Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Little Minds Matter team are backing the annual Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (IMHAW) this year.
The week-long campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of infant mental health. This year, IMHAW will take place from June 12-18, with the theme of “Bonding Before Birth”.
Support and information
Men's mental health awareness in the spotlight in Bradford district this month
Organisations across Bradford District and Craven are working in partnership to spotlight men’s mental health with a programme of events for Men's Health Week from June 13 to 19.
The sessions highlight the impact of finances on mental health, breaking taboos, the Access to Work support programme, religious and cultural views of mental health and the impact of discrimination on men’s wellbeing.
Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership has developed a list of resources with men in mind based on the evidence around mental and physical wellbeing. It includes details of both national and community-based partners’ support services.
Bradford sports stars support men's mental health
Major sports clubs in Bradford have pledged to put men’s mental health in the spotlight by backing a suicide prevention campaign which urges people to ‘check in with their mates’.
Bradford Bulls, Keighley Cougars, Bradford City AFC and Yorkshire Cricket have all signed up to give their star-power backing to the ongoing ‘Check In With Your Mate’ campaign, developed by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s suicide prevention programme.
Event for members of South Asian communities affected by Parkinson's
Families affected by Parkinson’s from South Asian communities are invited to a supportive, free information day in Bradford. Whether you live with Parkinson’s or know someone who does, join Parkinson's UK at Bradford City Hall on Saturday June 17.
Do you know an unpaid carer? That’s the question Bradford charity Carers’ Resource is asking everyone to think about during Carers Week, which runs until June 11. The charity supports unpaid carers; anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction or frailty. The theme of this year’s Carers Week is ‘Recognising and supporting carers in the community’.
Various events are taking place including an invitation to local organisations, politicians, council officers, health officials, businesses and community groups to its base in Shipley on Thursday June 8, from 2pm-4pm, to find out more about how they can better support carers.